A common misconception among people who don’t use coupons is that the value of the coupon really isn't enough to make a difference in the long run. Nothing could be further from the truth my healthy eating friends. As a dietitian, the priority list for groceries in our house is always nutrition first, and saving money second. As an example, last week's groceries included lots of fresh and can fruits and veggies, assortment of nuts, haddock, yogurt, cottage cheese, whole grain cereals and bread, and a few miscellaneous products like dish detergent and baggies. Had we not used coupons and shopped sale items total spent would have been over $123.50, but because we shopped wisely we paid only $41.83.
So how can this be done?
Plan your meals for the week by using Eating Well with Canada's Food
Guide. Shop flyers and then use both
these and the guide to make your grocery list.
Match coupons only with the foods you are going to eat and buy. The key is to only buy what you intend on
eating, and not because there is a sale.
This is how you avoid the pitfall of ending up with 'junkier' cheaper
foods. If you consider the food guide,
there are tons of choices here that regularly have coupons. Juices, canned fruits and veggies, whole
grain cereals, breads, pasta and rice, yogurt, fortified soy beverages, canned
meats and fish and nuts butters are some of the popular ones. From time to time there are also coupons for
fresh produce too believe it or not. But
how do you really get the deals?
As in food for free, or better yet, making money towards the rest of
your grocery purchase? (And yes it can
be done, because I have done it). It's
takes a little of what's called grocery cart and supermarket smarts.
When I say couponing I don't just mean using one coupon here
or there to save a dollar. I mean really
using grocery coupons to their full advantage to get the healthiest eats for
the absolute lowest dollar possible. For
example, did you know that in some stores you can use a manufacturer and store
coupon. That's called coupon
stacking. Other stores during a buy one
get one free promotion will allow you to use coupons on those items too. Some stores will not only match sale prices
from others, but they will also accept competitor coupons too. Combing a sale price, or something that is
50% off (say day old bread or about to expire yogurt) with the above coupons
tips and tricks is really the key to big savings. To become fluent in this try to shop at the
same store and get to know their coupon policy.
So where can you find coupons? Just about anywhere really. Newspapers and magazines, grocery stores, the
internet, products (especially cereals) are places to keep your eyes open. Websites such as Save.ca, and Websaver.ca are
great places to start as they will actually mail you the coupons you've select
for free. Certain food manufacturers have also been known to send coupons to
loyal customers who have contacted them as well. It's somewhere around 2% of
coupons that are distributed actually get used.
If you ask me, that's big savings that a lot of people are missing out
on. If you looking to save money and eat
healthy grocery coupons are the way to go.
Saving $20 a week is an extra $1040 a year! For more information on how to watch sales
and use coupons to get the healthiest eats, check out the blog Fat Pockets Skinny Waistlines, www.fatpocketsskinnywaistlines.blogspot.com.
As seen in The Telegram April 27, 2012
